Crowdfunding is a great way to generate funding and attention for new products - but what’s the best way to say “thank you” to your crowdfunding supporters?
With reward crowdfunding, you can solve this problem in a simple way. It’s a great way to both give people an incentive to back your campaign and also to thank those who’ve already done so. But what exactly is reward crowdfunding?
What is Reward-Based Crowdfunding?
Reward crowdfunding, sometimes also called seed crowdfunding, is a popular form of financing in which entrepreneurs launching a project ask for financial donations from people in exchange for a reward, typically in the form of a special product, service, and the like.
Crowdfunding rewards are a great way to motivate people to give to your crowdfunding campaign. Oftentimes, the rewards are unlocked after funding goals are met or surpassed and go hand-in-hand with the size of the individual backer's donation, as smaller donations may involve receiving a simple “Thank You” card while larger donations could be rewarded with product samples of branded T-shirts, for example.
10 Cool Crowdfunding Reward Ideas
There are many crowdfunding reward ideas around, but to have your own crowdfunding campaign stand out from the rest, check out these 10 awesome crowdfunding reward ideas to thank your backers in a really unique way!
1. Give Them Updates
Letting your supporters in on the latest news for your project can really help them feel like they’re part of something special, not just making financial contributions in the hope that a project they’re passionate about takes off.
When you constantly update your backers, they’ll gain a unique feeling of involvement in your project. For example, sending out regular email newsletters or even spare parts of extra samples of your project can make your backers feel like they’re making a difference in a tangible way. You may even want to invite your most passionate backers over to your office for lunch and to talk about how your project is progressing!
2. Give Away Custom Clothing and Accessories
Designing something that your supporters can proudly wear is another way of showing them your appreciation. From custom hats to shirts, to jackets, there are many ways to give back to your supporters with something for them to wear!
3. Send Special Flash Drive Gifts
Another cool idea is to fill up some flash drives with work from your project - whether it’s pictured, videos, interviews with leaders, and the like - and send them off to your top supporters. Make each one unique for a special and more personalized touch!
4. Give Them Shoutouts
Another special way of rewarding your backers is by giving them literal shoutouts on social media or during your project’s launch party. You can even follow them on various social media platforms, giving them credit for their continued loyalty and support.
5. Throw Them a Surprise Party
Invite some of your premium supporters to your office and throw them a surprise pizza or ice cream party. It’s a simple but fun thing to do to thank them in a really memorable way.
6. Give Credit Where Credit’s Due
Another great idea for especially loyal and dedicated supporters is to give them actual credit for your project on its website. Doing so is a great way to thank them in a tangible way and motivate others to continue to support your project.
7. Hold a Scavenger Hunt
If you want to throw adrenaline into the mix for your crowdfunding supporters, holding a scavenger hunt for them could be a fun idea. Invite some local backers to your office, lay out the rules, and set them loose! It’s a great way to actively engage with your backers and give them the opportunity to meet your team and have fun in the process.
8. Send Them Handwritten Notes
Yes, it may seem old-fashioned, but handwritten notes are a unique way of adding a personalized touch to show your appreciation, whether you mail them to your backers or hand them out in person. Never underestimate the power of a note that someone actually took the time to write for you!
9. Call Up Your Backers
Try calling up some of your backers personally for a quick 20 to 30-minute chat with them. You can discuss the status of your project, share tips, ask for feedback, or just talk about how their day was!
10. Create Personalized Infographics for Them
Last but not least, a really unique and cool crowdfunding reward idea is to create personalized infographics for your most dedicated backers highlighting some personal details about them and how they’ve supported your project. Taking the time to do this is a great way to thank them in a special way and motivate them to stay on as continued advocates even after your campaign has launched.
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How Easyship Helps with Crowdfunding
Showing appreciation is a simple concept that goes a long way. Reward crowdfunding is a great example – the more you show your supporters that they’re appreciated, the more willing they’ll be to support your crowdfunding project. Make the most of your creativity and see how much of a positive impact it can have on your crowdfunding campaign!
Don’t forget that Easyship is the place to go to kick your crowdfunding campaign into overdrive. We partner with Kickstarter and Indiegogo and also offer helpful shipping and fulfillment guides to help take your campaign truly global in scale - so be sure to sign up today!